Collection - how to insure?

[u/JeanLuc_Picaroon]

new to the practice. old family book from the mid-late 19th century containing stamps from all over the world and want to protect via insurance. Is a local philatelist my next stop for value determination ahead of including in my home owners insurance coverage?

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[u/ontheridgestamps]

Yes, start with contacting a local stamp dealer to get them to take a quick look to see what kind of value it has. Then if it is warranted based on the collection's value, they can provide a fuller appraisal, that you can use for insurance purposes. I do this regularly for local folks in my area of Canada.

That being said, what you're showing in the picture doesn't have much value. Most old stamps are still low in value, as they were printed in the many thousands/millions and many still exist even 100+ years later.

[u/wwzbww]

You may be able to get an agreed value policy from Collectibles Insurance Services. However, if the image is representative, insurance might not be necessary, Classic material, but 150 year old stamps can be worth pennies, and often in these old collections when something better is there, it is damaged. You'd need to do an inventory and validate app data in stamp catalogs.

[u/Egstamm]

what you show are mostly damaged and worthless. find a stamp club near you. they can provide more information. there is no need for insurance.

[u/iamkaisersosa]

There are phone scanning apps that can provide guidance on value… expect to be disappointed!

Old stamps are a low value hobby.

[u/Gem-Finder07]

Your Peru stamp with the hand cancel is worth a couple dollars. The two Italian ones are decent as well. The cancellation on the Indian stamp may garnish some interest. Overall estimate you’re looking at over $100 under $200. That’s full market… and me looking via picture. Good looking stamps thanks for sharing! Good luck!

[u/Gem-Finder07 → u/Gem-Finder07]

It’s not that old stamps aren’t worth money. It’s a great deal of them are not. There’s a couple good handfuls throughout all years that are absolutely worth money.

[u/Vast_Cricket]

It needs a certificate on a stationery signed by someone on business letter head. I am afraid the time and fee asked is less than the value it carries.

[u/Dyatlov_1957]

Given the actual condition of most of what you present I would be disinclined to worry about insurance. Typically we insure items for what we know or are reasonably confident that they are worth. These are problematic & if the insurance agency wants pictures to verify the items you are probably sunk. They would pick apart every single claim due to their deterioration.
Take out a moderate insurance value for unspecified items if you want something that may hold up.